Season Review – Lottery Teams 30. Denver Nuggets (25-57)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Kenyon Martin (76)
With Carmelo Anthony out of the picture, it’s no surprise to see the Nuggets in this position. Chauncey Billups & Nene both had a stellar first half of the year individually, earning All-Star honours, but a poor 1st round pick selection in Chris Singleton has left the Nuggets in dire need for some credible star power.
29. New Orleans Hornets (28-54)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: None
The Hornets had their biggest blow before the first tip-off of the season, with Wilson Chandler, the main youth piece from the Chris Paul Knicks trade walking out the door. It’s been damage control ever since, but there’s a glimmer of hope in young SG Klay Thompson, and a high draft pick may give the Hornets some more hope.
28. Detroit Pistons (31-51)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: None
The Pistons have been the poorest performing team of the last 3 seasons, stuck to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Enes Kanter played well during his rookie season, but the Pistons are in a heap of trouble with Ben Gordon still on a massive contract, blocking their ability to fully rebuild. This could be the offseason where there is a major clean-out in the Motor City.
27. Utah Jazz (32-50)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Deron Williams (89)(P), Mehmet Okur (71)
Not an ideal season for Utah with star Deron Williams having a player option. Okur’s $11m will come off the books this offseason, which may give the Jazz the wiggle room to find some decent pieces around Williams & Millsap, especially with the former coming off another All-NBA calibre season.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (33-49)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: JaVale McGee (74), Antawn Jamison (74), Ramon Sessions (72)(P)
The Timberwolves find themselves again in the lower part of the league, however now have rookie sensation PG Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams to build around for the future, with a 7-year contract on star big Kevin Love. Antawn Jamison’s $15m could provide some leeway for some inbound talent.
25. Philadelphia 76ers (34-48)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: None
This may not be the low-point for the fans of Philadelphia. After trading away star swingman Andre Iguodala at the deadline for Trevor Ariza & Avery Bradley, the Sixers also lost Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights, leaving them completely disjointed. Elton Brand is most likely out the door with the Amnesty Clause rearing its head as his production continues to drop, while Jrue Holiday, Louis Williams & Marcus Thornton have the green light to score at will as this team weathers a tough storm.
24. New Jersey Nets (35-47)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Courtney Lee (72)
The Nets head to Brooklyn with their tail between their legs, with a roster boasting little to no fanfair for a brand new Barclays Center. The Nets will have to be very busy this offseason to ensure their home opener is a sell out at this point.
23. Memphis Grizzlies (35-47)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: None
After only just missing the playoffs last season, the Grizzlies weirdly regressed with all their young talent in tow. Fingers crossed this is just an outlier year, with most starters signed up for multiple years, it could be real ugly in Memphis if the tides don’t change.
22. Chicago Bulls (36-46)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: None
Despite an All-NBA season from Derrick Rose, the Bulls had an extremely lacklustre year, reminiscent of the 2009-10 campaign. After only being two games away from an NBA Finals berth last season, the Windy City will be quiet throughout the postseason as they look to regroup. Their mid-season move of Anderson Varejao and Taj Gibson for Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights did little to stop the bleeding, and may need to find a true sidekick to fit with their home-grown superstar.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (36-46)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: None
Steve Nash isn’t getting any younger, and Brandon Roy looks set to retire as his knees have given out. The Blazers look set for a rough stretch after failing to build on their postseason appearance last year. With cap space to move, the Blazers could be next in line for a major rebuild.
20. Washington Wizards (37-45)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Kirk Hinrich (73), Andray Blatche (72)
A better season than expected from the Wizards, with Evan Turner winning the Most Improved Player award and finally moving the horror contracts of Gilbert Arenas & Antawn Jamison. Al Jefferson will provide more in the short-term than McGee, and with a bit of manoeuvring may not be too far away from playoff contention.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (38-44)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Anthony Parker (70)
I predicted the Cavs to comfortably take the #30 spot on this year’s review, but boy was I wrong. Their free agency acquisitions only had them a handful of games away from the playoffs, with great progress from J.J. Hickson in particular, along with their new stars of Aaron Brooks & J.R. Smith. The Cavs could be in the mix for a few more solid free agency pickups and march their way further up the league ladder next season.
18. San Antonio Spurs (39-43)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: None
A true disappointment from the Spurs, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1996-97 season, and the first in their Big 3’s careers. Is it time for change? With all major players signed beyond this season, the Spurs may enter the trade market for the first time in a long time.
17. Toronto Raptors (42-40)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Mo Williams (74)(P)
It’s not often you see a team in the Eastern Conference finish above .500 and not make the playoffs, however the Toronto Raptors have suffered this fate. A catalyst to a bumpy road in the back half of the season has to be credited to another ill-timed injury to Caron Butler, who missed a big chunk of the season post-All Star break. The Raptors will be back again, however time is running out with Hedo & Butler both into their mid-30’s.
